GitHub Actions vs CircleCI: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between GitHub Actions and CircleCI comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
GitHub Actions
CI/CD built into GitHub
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • CI/CD built directly into GitHub, no external services needed
- • Workflow marketplace with thousands of community actions
CircleCI
Continuous integration and delivery
Best for you if:
- • CircleCI is a continuous integration platform that automates building, testing, and deploying code
- • It runs pipelines on every commit with parallelism, caching, and Docker support
| At a Glance |  GitHub Actions |  CircleCI |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Testing & QA | Testing & QA |
Rating | 90/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | GitHub Actions | CircleCI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 90 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QAAutomation | Testing & QACI/CD |
How GitHub Actions and CircleCI Compare
GitHub Actions
CI/CD built into GitHub
Free tier available · 90/100 score
CircleCI
Continuous integration and delivery
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: GitHub Actions
Want the highest-rated option?
GitHub Actions: 90/100. CircleCI: 84/100.
Go with: GitHub Actions
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: GitHub Actions
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are testing & qa tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
GitHub Actions scores higher: 90/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
GitHub Actions
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 84
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
CircleCI
The Bottom Line
GitHub Actions (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GitHub Actions or CircleCI better?
GitHub Actions scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are GitHub Actions and CircleCI used for?
GitHub Actions: CI/CD built into GitHub. CircleCI: Continuous integration and delivery.
What does GitHub Actions cost vs CircleCI?
GitHub Actions is freemium (free tier + paid plans). CircleCI is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.